Tuesday, July 30, 2002

Egyptian Court Convicts Islamists

A strike against terrorism or repression of free speech?
An Egyptian military court has convicted 16 men - mainly academics and professionals - of belonging to the outlawed Islamic group, the Muslim Brotherhood.

The Muslim Brotherhood, which was banned in 1954, says it wants to establish an Islamic state in Egypt through democratic means. Critics of the conviction say that the 22 men were targeted on the basis of their beliefs, and that no-one should be jailed for non-violent political activities.

The Muslim Brotherhood was banned by former President Gamal Abdel Nasser after an attempt on his life in 1954.